Hey Jim,
You posted this one the 3RS weathered trains thread,
"I run alligator clip leads to the rollers and frame to keep the drivers moving"
If I wanted to setup a test track, what would be the best way to do it, meaning to have a Loco run in place on some type of rollers for testing, weathering, etc.
I have an MTH loco that squeaks like mad even after oiling on several occasions. It would be helpful to have it running in place to maybe locate where it is coming from more easily. Is there a way to set something like this up? Do I need TMCC\DCS set up or can you test in conventional mode.
If anyone else can show pics or make suggestions, this would be helpful.

I've gone out of my mind trying to quiet the squeaks on my Railking Challenger. If you figure yours out, please post the cause.

Thanks,
Rick

Hi Greg,
My spray booth is right next to my layout so I put blocks of wood under the engine pilot and under the trail truck. Then I run alligator clip leads right from the layout rails to a roller pickup and another to some point on the engine frame.

Then I can have the drivers turning while spraying them for weathering.

Using the roller assemblies that are available would be a little more elegant, but a lot more expensive than my wood blocks.

This should work to run the engine in place to track down squeaks too. The only exception might be if the squeak is in the pick-up rollers or in the drivers themselves. The lack of weight on the drivers might make a difference.

But it's worth a try anyway. Good luck hunting them down.

Jim

Hey Jim...was up your way this past weekend to visit the boy over at RPI. Thought I might swing over to Schenectady to check out the 'hood. However, by the end of the day Saturday, I thought I might need a boat to get there! Missed out this time...maybe next fall...

PD

PD,
Last Saturday would have been tough since I was on my way back home from York. But, you're always welcome. Hope you have time to stop by on your next trip up this way.

Jim

Try one of these from Jak Tools.

quote:

Originally posted by TrainPop:
Try one of these from Jak Tools.

That is what I use, plus I put the track onto a lazy susan base so I can rotate the engine without touching it.

All good ideas guys.

Rick; my RK Clallenger is quiet as a mouse in terms of squeaks.
All mine has ever had is a drop or two of oil on all the axles.
I would check your rollers if you have not oiled them at all.

Running on blocks like Jim and Al suggested should help. I would remove the boiler beforehand so you can localize anything squeaking inside. Since there are two can motors and gearboxes, it could be a dry bearing in any one of them.

Hope that helps,
Rod

quote:

Originally posted by ricomon:
I've gone out of my mind trying to quiet the squeaks on my Railking Challenger. If you figure yours out, please post the cause.

Thanks,
Rick

Greetings Rick;
My Big Boy had a squeek I was a while finding.
The wheels/axles on the front truck of the tender were the culprit !
It really sounded like it was in the drive rods, and kept sync with them!
Happiness is a well running Locomotive.

So basically, we have a squeaky wheel thread titled with my name!!!

Hmmm...anybody trying to tell me something?

Jim

Greg,

I second TrainPop's recommendation of the JAK Rollers. Work great and easy to use.

JAK Rollers

gregj410 I purchased two sets of rollers from Jak Tools years ago. They are worth every penny in my opinion. I use them on a regular basis. They sell 2R & 3R. They wobble a bit on tube track. Use another type of your choice. I think this is what you have in mind. I could be wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Policastro:
So basically, we have a squeaky wheel thread titled with my name!!!

Hmmm...anybody trying to tell me something?

Jim

Jim, maybe you should change your name to: Jim "Squeaky" Policastro.

It has a nice ring to it

I'm looking forward to a post that reads, "My Lionel big boy has a really loud Jim Policastro that is driving me nuts. Anyone else have this problem?"

Paul

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Serows1,

quote:

So basically, we have a squeaky wheel thread titled with my name!!!

Pretty subtle, huh Jim?

Rod

Thanks guys. The rollers look like a good idea, unless your painting over them. I can see where the clips would be preferred on that front.

Al,

It looks like your pic shows the rollers, how are you able to keep them clean when you paint?

quote:

It looks like your pic shows the rollers, how are you able to keep them clean when you paint?

Greg, they stay pretty clean since I'm not pointing the airbrush at the rollers and any paint that does get on them wipes off easily.

Well, after being sidetracked by problems with my new TMCC system, I finally got a chance to put together a stationary running rig. (I could watch those rods all day; it's mesmerizing.) I put the Challenger on the rig and ran it slow. I touched the various rods one at a time until I quelled the squeak. The squeak was coming from one rod. With about 60 points to lube on my Challenger, I obviously missed one. One drop of oil later and it sounds great. I can't believe all the noise that came from one missed lube point.

Rick

I have a MTH Premier PRR H10s 2-8-0 which actually has a faint squeak on the sound board, so it sound like a loco that needs a service-how cool is that?

Nick